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“Oh god, how?”

“Most of the intel is still classified, but it was through body shops and car dealerships It was almost impossible to find out as really clean and as there undercover” I sigh, thinking about that last night “So late at the docks They said the shipest yet, and all the bosses would be there”

“Was it a set-up?” Her eyes widen, and I shake my head

“No, I think that’s why it went so bad so fast They didn’t expect us to be there, and e showed up they panicked” I touch the soft skin of her cheek, happy that her tears have stopped “Soot scared and threw some kind of explosive in ht most of the shrapnel in my face”

“Donovan” She reaches for me, like she wants to make sure I’m really here

“The doctors kept telling me how lucky I was to be alive, but all I could think about was the what if What if it would have killed o out in public again?”

“That’s so sad”

“You can stand here and think about what ht on the docks hardened me and turned me cold” I smile and rub my thumb across her lips “Until a ray of sunshine ca ribbons in her hair”

“That’s so sweet” She leans in to my touch

“And then the what if game started all over” I tilt her chin back and kiss her softly “What if I found the love of ht into her eyes as I say it and tuck a lock of hair behind her ears “What if I found the wo to marry?”

She ss as I stare at her and let her absorb all that I’

“What if she’s afraid because she thinks she has to choose between lovingcare of her father?”

“Donovan, I don’t—”